Labels:

One of my favorite parts of planning a party is coming up with a favor that will be a little present to your guests and not something they’ll just trash. For a backyard harvest party that I recently threw, I sewed up some tote bags created from dish towels (I told guests not to look too closely at the stitching) and then filled the table with some fresh takeaways: monster cookies, baguettes, strawberries and flowers. Overall a simple concept but appreciated and not ignored. At least that’s what my guests made me believe.

Post Title

Post URL

Labels:

This white stone croft (I had to Wikipedia that, basically just a fenced plot of land) in Scotland is 50 yards from the sea and is available for rent as a holiday cottage. Wouldn’t you love to spend your vacation curled up on the weathered couch while listening to the sea? It’s like the perfect setup for a romantic comedy complete with the only young, cute townsfolk that would so happen to be the sheepherder.

Post Title

Post URL

Labels:

Graphic designer, Emma Robertson, recently introduced herself and it didn’t take me long before I was sending her fan mail. I love everything about her personal identity design, especially the color choice and the handwritten text.

Emma also just opened up a shop of knitted goods that are as adorable as the model, another one of her many titles. Emma, congrats on earning the right to call yourself cool.

Post Title

Post URL

On the opposite end of the spectrum from minimalism is opulence. While minimalism has certainly dominated the trend discourse -- opulent gold actually had its own moment on the runways for Fall/Winter 2010. Main inspiration: Alexander McQueen, but gilded dresses showed up everywhere from Dries Van Noten to Diane von Furstenberg to Lanvin (left to right in the above image).

There are two keys to mastering this trend. First, don't look trashy in some sort of overly tight, gold lamé business - there is no reason for this to trend look cheap, it should look the opposite, it should look expensive. Second, please, oh please, keep it simple. These dresses are gold all over the place, there is no need to pile on jewelry as it would quickly become what Tim Gunn calls, "a lot of look." Here are several lovely gilded out dresses in a variety of prices.

Now here are the simple things I would wear these glamorous gold dresses with. I recommend keeping it really simple with just black pumps, but if you love to accessorize - stick to rings. This will add bling without going over the top.

Post Title

Post URL

Labels:

I’m not sure why I’ve fallen so hard for the new triangle trend, it’s not like it’s a new concept. Maybe it’s because it reminds me that I was actually good at one type of math, geometry. Or another theory that’s probably more accurate, it reminds me of my love of pennant flags. Yeah, that’s probably it. Parties over math.

Post Title

Post URL

Labels:

Hello, I’m Melanie Blodgett. I’m the author of You Are My Fave and a party planner to the stars. And by stars I mean my family members. I’m pretty sure my mom is my biggest fan. I absolutely hate it when in job interviews they ask you to describe yourself. Am I a go-getter who works well in groups? Not really. Sometimes I want to make up things about myself like that I was Miss Montana (kind of believable, they’re never that attractive) or that I toured with Lord of the Dance (not believable, don’t look Irish or have muscular enough calves). But the facts are this: I’m married to Ryan who’s just finishing law school, we live in Denver in a small apartment with gross carpet, I’m the youngest of seven girls and I strive to quote 30 Rock at least a few times a day. I love my birthday, babies, magazines, high waisted skirts, board game victory dances, Chex muddy buddies and cake stands. My official party business is launching at the end of the month and in the mean time I visit Target for a living. Thank you Rachel for taking a chance on me.

Post URL

Labels:

A favorite feature on my site is a series called Well Branded where I showcase beautiful identity packages.

One such example is Glacé in Kansas City. Creative partners Nathaniel Cooper and Brent Anderson thought of everything, the space is modern yet inviting and the print material is impeccable. I'm especially fond of the stickers to seal up takeout bags, they're just darling! (Via: Jordan Gray)

Post Title

Post URL

Labels:

Summer may not be quite over yet but I've got my eye on these favorites for fall. Whether it be for the home or fashion, I'm all about grays, teals, purples and subtle little details this season. I particularly love the blue linen flower by Emerson Made that can be dressed up or down.

Post Title

Post URL

Labels:

I developing a pretty big crush on the work of food stylist/photographer Aran Goyoaga. Her photos are so beautiful and I love how the lighting in them makes everything so bright and vivid!Guest Post by Kathleen from Twig & Thistle

Post Title

Post URL

Labels:

I'm a total sucker for a good wedding invitation so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I was completely floored by this invite by urbanINFLUENCE (a local fave of mine). Designed for art director Mike Mate's wedding, they are utterly charming. I love the summer camp feel and the gmund paper was the perfect choice. (If you'd like to see more uses of faux bois paper, I printed my husband's 30th Birthday invites on it). Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Post Title

Post URL

Wedding planning sucks. If anyone tells you differently, either they have unlimited funds or they are lying. Or both. There is nothing romantic, or even fun, about seating charts, a marriage license application, or registering for luggage. Hell, even cupcake tasting lost its luster after the fourth place we tried.

I feel like we were engaged for 2 weeks and have been wedding planning for a year. So, I'm tired of it.

And if one more person emails me with the f$#@ing countdown or asks how everything is coming, I will scream. Clearly they never planned such an event before. If they had, they'd know that the last several weeks beforehand are the most hectic, the most detail-driven, and frankly, the most stressful.

So here is a handy guide to my answers to those who insist on knowing "how it's coming" and reminding me "it's only a few weeks away":

1. I know. I set the date, I have been planning for a year, I am constantly checking my list. So I know when the wedding is. If you are coming, believe me, I'm glad you do, too.

2. I am not excited. I don't have time or energy to be excited. I am glad, I am happy, I am looking forward. But excited hasn't happened yet. Will be pleased to tell you when it hits.

3. I AM stressed. So further discussion of said stress does little to alleviate it.

4. I am moody. Today I am sick to death of this. Tomorrow I might be in a better mood about it. So sue me.

5. I have done everything I can up to this moment, that's how it's coming. I would rather not dive in to the boring details of confirming with my cupcake vendor or the plan for my site visit with my day of coordinator. Trust me, I could not care less about that level of detail in your planning, so I'm guessing you don't truly give a damn about it in mine.

6. If I sound like a brat, today I don't care. Maybe tomorrow I will. "Bridezilla" hasn't entered the picture so far, and since I think the term is misogynistic and demeaning, I highly discourage you from using it to refer to me.

I did have a lovely shower this weekend, have a bachelorette party coming up, and the wedding itself shouldn't be too shabby. So not all is doom and gloom. But I am over the planning. So let's just agree to talk about something else for awhile.

Now, for the shoes.

There was some shoe shopping this weekend. There may or may not have been several pairs purchased.

Post URL

Rachel has been such an influence to me as both as a designer and blogger so I am beyond thrilled to be here on Black Eiffel this week!

I am a graphic designer living and working in Seattle with an unhealthy obsession with paper and letterpress. I started a blog called Twig & Thistle nearly two years ago, where I share my design inspiration along with some of my own craft projects. I hope you'll stop by and say hello if you get the chance!

Post Title

Post URL

Don't you want to look like this fresh and happy 1970s woman in her pre-washed denim? No? Me neither. That's why I am very excited about denim's fresh new perspective for fall. My favorite way to wear this trend is the denim button down blouse. Which bears no resemblance to that lovely denim blouse in the above ad, don't worry. This trend can go very wrong if paired with say, more denim. Now add some cowboy boots, or maybe a long flower skirt and you're starting to look like you're ready to wrangle some cattle or head straight to Woodstock - neither of which are spectacular looks. However, if you keep it simple and elegant, denim shirts look modern and fresh.

Wear this outfit with blouse number one. Tuck in the denim shirt just in the front of these blouse-y shorts for a relaxed day look. Pair it with black suede ankle boots for some glam, and wear gold accessories. I love this rope braided necklace and stack of gold bangles.

Pair shirt number two by tucking it into this ikat skirt in sublte colors.Accessorize with a thick brown belt and these two-tone brown platforms. I also love the idea of this light scarf in a subtle print that is different from the ikat. Since it's the scarf, the double print isn't too overwhelming.

Finally, here is a wonderful look for denim shirt number three. I love the idea of the denim shirt over leggings with dark cognac over the knee boots. Throw on a slouchy gray sweater over the shirt, then accessorize with a red scarf and gold bangles with white glass embellishments.

Post Title

Post URL

Yep, that's me. I rode horses for fifteen years. That's why, whenever the equestrian trend becomes popular, I almost want to laugh. For me, the only thing I can think about is excruciatingly hot days and being forced to wear jodhpurs, tall boots, a long sleeve shirt, and a wool jacket. I hardly think of effortless blouses tucked into skinny jodhpur pants with ankle booties and an oversized scarf. But, the equestrian trend is back in full force. Therefore, I think it is worthwhile to explore how I could take my riding clothes out of my utilitarian mindset, and bring them into my wardrobe as stylish pieces. First, here are some splurge versus save options for equestrian inspired jackets, boots, and jodphurs.

Here's what I would wear with equestrian inspired jackets. Obviously, I would wear my favorite jeans, the Stilt by AG. But any skinny jean you like would work. A long olive blouse will nicely compliment the structured blazer. I also love these Nine West open-toe ankle booties with perforated leather. Finish the outfit with a chunky necklace in a neutral color, I like this silver chain braided necklace.

To wear with riding boots, I would wear skinny black pants, or leggings, tucked into the boots. Over the black pants, I would wear this lovely DKNY cashmere tunic which hits mid-thigh. Underneath this sweater I would wear a dark gray v-neck. And to top it off with a pop of color, wear a knit cranberry eternity scarf, or any other scarf in a fall color.

Finally, toothpick riding pants look great with an oversized sweater, especially in a fun print like this fair isle knit. Pair it with a white v-neck for a neutral underpiece and a cream colored scarf, this one with pom-poms is especially fun. With dark brown ankle boots this look is perfect for fall while also embracing the trend.

Post URL

Labels:

For those who haven't already had a peek on twitter (see here) we would like you to meet our new little bundle of joy -- India Grace. I can't believe she is already 2 weeks old. She was 7.7 lbs and 19.5 inches long, and it looks like she has strawberry blonde hair! We love her so much and she has already brought a lot of joy into our lives.

It has been an adventurous, yet tiresome two weeks with some c-section recovery but everything is going well -- except for the fact that our three year-old has turned into some type of diva ninja, but that is to be somewhat expected, right? We are still adjusting and trying to find our new rhythm but we are so grateful for wonderful family and friends to help us out along the way, thank you so very much everyone...